UFO Brigantia issue 50

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO BRIGANTIA
Issue: No. 50
Date: November 1991
Publisher: The Independent UFO Network (IUN)
Theme: Ufology with an attitude, focusing on UFO sightings, abductions, and related phenomena.

Editorial

The editorial reflects on the recent Sheffield Congress, highlighting the success of Budd Hopkins' presentation and his significant impact on the field of ufology. The editor acknowledges Hopkins as a well-educated thinker who effectively counters skeptical arguments. The editorial contrasts the British approach to ufology, which it deems as lagging and stuck in 'mid-1970s semi-debunking,' with the need for more rigorous experimentation and psychological understanding to address abduction claims. It notes that Hopkins has challenged the skeptical community to rise to the occasion. The editor also mentions the presence of individuals dealing with 'spirit world' transmissions at the congress, indicating the continued dormancy of contacteeism. Finally, the editorial celebrates the 50th issue of UFO Brigantia, thanking subscribers and looking forward to reaching issue 100.

Articles and Features

"No Child Abuse in Iran"

This article, presented as a paper by Budd Hopkins from the Sheffield International Congress, discusses the phenomenon of UFO abductions. It notes that while initial reports in 1966 were treated as hoaxes or aberrations, abductions are now recognized as widespread and occurring globally. The article attributes the increased awareness to objective books and articles, which have helped abductees find sympathetic organizations and realize they are not alone. A comparison is drawn between the public awareness of UFO abductions and child abuse, suggesting that both were hidden problems due to a lack of willingness to address them. The author critiques a French skeptic's argument that the higher reporting rate in the US implies the phenomenon is bogus, likening it to how child abuse is widely recognized in the US but not in many non-Western countries. The article argues that thorough investigation and social legitimization are necessary, and that the UFO abduction phenomenon is profoundly disturbing, challenging fundamental views of autonomy, psychology, and science.

Section II: Abductions of Young Children

This section focuses on the particularly distressing abduction reports involving very young children. The author notes that most abductees are 'repeaters,' often taken from a young age. The evidence from young children is considered valuable because they are less likely to be influenced by external sources like media or written accounts. The article highlights specific details, such as descriptions of needles used in nasal procedures, which children recall despite having no prior knowledge of such implants. A case study of 'Joanne' and her young daughter is presented, where the child described 'men with big eyes' sticking a 'long thing' up her nose. Another case involves 'Sally's' daughter, 'Anna,' who described 'night people' taking her into a 'round place' and inserting a 'long splinter' up a boy's nose, with the child drawing the experience.

Section III: Physical Movement and Implants

This section details cases where children have been physically moved during abduction experiences. A case from northern California describes a four-year-old daughter's nightmares about 'monsters' and 'small, black-eyed figures' who took her outside to a 'round thing' and placed a needle into her. The parents were particularly disturbed as all doors and windows were securely bolted from the inside. The article also mentions Dr. John Mack's involvement with a family case where a three-year-old son reported a 'monster' biting him inside his nose, causing bleeding. The author emphasizes that these details, particularly regarding nasal implants, are often pure and uninfluenced by external contamination.

Section IV: Psychological Impact and Future Work

This section discusses the psychological impact of abductions on children, noting that they may feel abandoned if their parents cannot prevent these intrusions. The author reinforces the belief in the 'event-level reality' of the UFO abduction phenomenon based on sixteen years of investigation. However, it is acknowledged that current knowledge outpaces the skill in helping victims, and new coping techniques and therapeutic skills are needed to prevent permanent psychological scarring.

UFO Case-File Reports

This section announces that ENIGMA DESIGN is producing copies of various case-file reports from UFOIN and IUN files to raise funds for future IUN ventures. These detailed reports cover famous cases from the 1970s and 1980s.

"Death riddle"

A brief news item about the discovery of a naked, burnt body of a young man near Bridge of Orchy, Strathclyde, prompting speculation about its connection to ufology.

"Coke Encounters of the Third Line?"

A short, sardonic piece referencing a 1978 New York Times report about cocaine use in Hollywood and its connection to the film 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind.'

"Strieber Stuff"

This section discusses Whitley Strieber's departure from the UFO field, quoting his statement that ufologists are 'cruellest, nastiest and craziest' and that the 'alien abduction' belief is a human phenomenon. The editor expresses some sympathy but also questions Strieber's harsh assessment of ufologists.

Conference Announcement

An announcement for an upcoming Independent UFO Network Conference to be held in the late summer of the following year at Sheffield Library Theatre. Paul Devereux, Jenny Randles, and Graham Allen are provisionally booked. The working title for the conference is 'E.T. or not E.T. - Is That The Question.'

Letters

Chris Allan responds to Terry Jones regarding the Betty Andreasson abduction case, arguing for a psycho-social explanation and questioning the value of hypnosis. He suggests Betty Andreasson should have been given the $100,000 reward offered by a tabloid.

Phillip Mantle thanks the organizers, speakers, and attendees of the recent Congress, acknowledging the contributions of various individuals and venues.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently adopts a stance that is critical of mainstream skepticism while acknowledging the need for rigorous investigation. It champions the work of researchers like Budd Hopkins, presenting abduction experiences as potentially real phenomena that challenge conventional understanding. There is a strong emphasis on the psychological impact of these experiences, particularly on children. The publication also serves as a platform for UFO enthusiasts to share news, opinions, and case reports, fostering a sense of community within the Independent UFO Network. The editorial tone is often informal and opinionated, encouraging reader participation and debate.

Title: UFO BRIGANTIA
Issue Date: November 1991
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of UFO BRIGANTIA features a prominent article by Budd Hopkins titled "Abductions as Physical Events," which explores the nature of UFO abduction experiences. It also includes a reader's letter proposing a theory about secret government maintenance of steam locomotives and reviews of several books.

Reader's Letter: Secret Steam Locomotives

A reader named Nick Brown from York writes to express his thanks for the UFO Conference and to share information obtained from a local engineering lecturer. The information suggests that certain railway tunnels in Britain have been used for the secret storage and maintenance of steam locomotives. The purpose of this is theorized to be for use in the aftermath of a nuclear attack, when electronic and diesel rolling stock would be rendered useless due to resulting ionization. The reader notes that these locomotives can be easily transferred onto the existing rail network and points out that some steam locomotives from the 1960s scrapping program cannot be accounted for. He appeals to readers to investigate these points, suggesting that sightings of strange lights near railway tunnels might be explained by these government and M.O.D. activities. An editorial note identifies this as an urban legend known as the 'myth of the strategic reserve' and states there is no evidence for it, encouraging readers to provide any information they might have.

Article: Abductions as Physical Events by Budd Hopkins

Budd Hopkins presents an article that posits UFO abduction reports may disclose evidence of a significant event on our planet, questioning whether they are actual events or a pervasive form of fantasy. He draws a parallel to Sigmund Freud's temporary belief in childhood sexual abuse memories as real, before later dismissing them as fantasies. Hopkins argues that Freud's focus on internal psychological mechanisms, rather than external investigation, led him to discount the reality of these memories. He asserts that contemporary professionals have begun to investigate the event-level reality of such reports and concluded that childhood sexual abuse is rampant.

Hopkins emphasizes the importance of connecting psychological theories to objective information about a person's actual experience and background, and warns against dismissing consistent, widespread felt experiences as fantasy without serious, objective inquiry.

He then presents six examples from his files of UFO abduction reports, collected over fifteen years. These reports, he states, are typical, unprocessed, and uninvestigated as initially received. He highlights that these cases, involving twelve witnesses in total, were remembered normally (without hypnosis initially) and all included periods of missing time and 'impossible' or illogical physical dislocations, as well as signs of trauma. Crucially, only one case involved an actual UFO sighting, and only one report clearly recollected 'aliens'. None of the witnesses were initially well-informed about the abduction phenomenon.

Hopkins stresses the need for an exact chronology of UFO abduction reports. He notes that the first American abduction report became public in 1966, with subsequent cases gaining media attention over the years. He points out that one of his examples predates the first publicly known abduction case, and another predates the second. He argues that any theory of the UFO abduction phenomenon must account for these reports arising prior to any general public knowledge of the abduction scenario and its details, and that the descriptions were shared with others at the time of occurrence, with the suspicion of UFO abduction surfacing later.

He categorizes evidence supporting the idea that these reports are real events into two types:

1. Eyewitness Testimony of an Observed Abduction: An example from January 3, 1979, in Florida, where a man named Filiberto Cardenas and his companions experienced their car stopping, a blinding light, and Cardenas being lifted out of sight. He was later found dazed and confused miles away, with physical symptoms similar to other abduction cases. Hypnosis revealed details typical of abduction accounts, but the key element was the eyewitness testimony of an abduction seen independently by non-abductees.
2. Circumstantial Eyewitness Testimony: This involves observing pre- or post-abduction details that are suggestive but not conclusive. Hopkins provides three examples:
* A 1974 incident where a young married couple experienced missing time while driving, finding their car in a field.
* A 1968 incident involving Mrs. R and her family, who experienced a TV screen anomaly, a frightening face, a loud noise, and missing time, with a UFO sighted.
* A 1978 incident where a young man experienced a flash of light, missing time, and physical discomfort, with fragmented memories of small figures.

Hopkins concludes that the perplexing incidents in these reports are physical, dealing with objects and sites, not just inward musing. He states that similar accounts of vehicular dislocation do not appear in media until decades after the witnesses first reported them. He asserts that any theory of UFO abduction must satisfactorily account for the details presented in these initial reports or be discarded. He notes that hypnosis was eventually used in his five sample cases to help recall unremembered portions of encounters and explore other UFO incidents. He emphasizes that these cases conform to patterns seen in hundreds of others and are not remarkable in themselves.

Book Reviews

The Seventh Sword by Andy Collins

This book is described as a comprehensive, albeit insider, look at psychic questing in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. The reviewer finds the writing style breathless and the story difficult to follow, but suggests the actual story is unimportant, focusing on the idea of people using 'psychic' means to find artefacts secreted by conspiracies or 'goodies'. The reviewer questions whether the characters have been tricked or if it's a series of coincidences, but acknowledges the physical artefacts and the possibility of it being true, stating they are not going to mock it. Gaynor Sunderland is featured in the book, and the reviewer notes her unlikely nature to receive psychic messages. The reviewer concludes that if it's a hoax, it's a sophisticated one, and that the subject may require participation to be studied.

Witchcraft - A Strange Conflict by Peter Hough

This book examines the occult scene, focusing on media-hungry figures and various mystics and satanists. The reviewer finds that the book doesn't offer much new information for those familiar with the subject and becomes a 'pedestrian plod' through media-received ideas. The reviewer criticizes the book for making unquestioned and unqualified statements, such as about ley-lines, and finds that the information presented bears little relation to what actually goes on in the occult scene, being superficial and misleading. The reviewer also notes that the author seems undecided about his conclusions by the end of the book.

Earth Memory by Paul Devereux

This book is praised for its author's integrity and informed speculation on Earth Mysteries. Devereux examines ancient sites, their potential uses, and detected energies. The reviewer finds the book clarifies the subject of Earth Mysteries and advocates for a practical direction linked to thought and actions, rather than 'playing at Neolithic shamans'. The reviewer encourages readers to get the book and visit sites to understand its message.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue strongly emphasizes the potential reality of UFO abduction experiences, presenting them as physical events with tangible consequences, supported by detailed case studies and historical analysis. The magazine also shows an interest in fringe theories and alternative explanations for phenomena, as seen in the reader's letter about secret steam locomotives. The book reviews cover topics such as psychic questing, the occult, and Earth mysteries, reflecting a broad interest in the paranormal and unexplained. The editorial stance appears to be open-minded and investigative, encouraging readers to contribute information and consider unconventional possibilities, while also being critical of unsubstantiated claims and superficial treatments of subjects.

Title: UFO BRIGANTIA
Issue Date: November 1991
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of UFO BRIGANTIA features a range of articles on UFO phenomena, abduction experiences, crop circles, and contactee accounts, offering both detailed case studies and critical commentary.

UFO Abduction Cases

The magazine presents several accounts of UFO abductions. The first details the experience of Kathie Davis in Indianapolis in the summer of 1983, who underwent an abduction from her property, accompanied by a bright flash, power outage, and a loud roar. A neighbor corroborated the event by witnessing the flash and hearing the sound.

A second case involves a medical doctor in October 1990 who witnessed preliminary incidents in the abduction of another physician. The doctor experienced an 'uncharacteristic behavior' and a feeling of external control, a phenomenon also reported by non-abductee witnesses in other abduction cases. The host physician's guest was the sole target of the abductors.

A third example of 'second party circumstantial testimony' concerns two young women, cousins and recent college graduates in Houston, Texas. One awoke with the sensation of being dropped from her bed and recalled being inside a spacecraft, seeing small, black-eyed figures. Her roommate's memory of the interior coincided exactly with hers, suggesting both may have been abducted.

The issue also references well-known abduction cases, including the Betty and Barney Hill case (1966), Charles Hickson and Calvin Parker (1973), and the five-day disappearance of Travis Walton (1975). It notes that the FBI officially states it has no curiosity about such reports, leading to a decline in reported cases to federal agencies.

Physical Traces and Evidence

The magazine addresses common questions about UFO experiences, confirming that physical traces such as ground traces of affected soil and physical scars on abductees' bodies do accompany UFO experiences. Abductees are sometimes physically missing from their homes or cars during 'missing time' experiences. Evidence suggesting physical reality includes abductees finding muddy feet, grass, and leaves in their beds after an experience. The article emphasizes that reported experiences consistently remain within the narrow range of actual, felt experience, rather than being limitless fantasy.

Crop Circles and Hoaxes

The 'Twinkles' section critically examines the crop circle phenomenon. It dismisses much of the 'claptrap' surrounding earth energies and advanced maths, suggesting that many involved need an abacus. The article highlights the confession of two individuals, Doug & Dave, who admitted to hoaxing many crop circles. It recounts an incident where a TV program, 'Equinox', invited sceptics to examine a hoaxed circle, and experts like Busty Taylor and Meaden were fooled into believing it was real.

The author suggests that crop circles are either meteorological (simple ones) or hoaxed. The article laments how the crop circle phenomenon has become embedded, with people forming friendships and social networks around it, making it difficult for them to accept the possibility of hoaxes, even when admitted by the perpetrators.

'Tifinag' and Alien Messages

Under the 'Curiouser and Curiouser' section, the magazine discusses interpretations of crop circle 'messages'. Jon Eric Beckjord is presented as someone who claims to have found 'the answer' by interpreting crop circles using the ancient language 'Tifinag', which was previously used by Barry Fell. Beckjord interprets symbols to derive messages such as 'This is the place of the serpent' and 'Thor-God of thunder'. The article notes Beckjord's assertion that aliens are not concerned with human desires like money or love, but with 'higher things'. The author expresses skepticism about these interpretations.

'Weird Science' and Crop Circle Theories

This section presents five 'plausible' possibilities for crop circle creation, adapted from 'Chaos International'. These range from an Einsteinian universe where aliens leave 'graffiti' in food, to 'Telluric Energy' from a displeased Earth Mother, to a Douglas Adams-esque universe where aliens play pranks, to invisible giants using wheatfields for a tournament, and finally, to New Age fanatics creating them.

Criticism of Ufology and Organizations

The article 'Orchids in UFOLOGY - THE TRUTH' details criticisms leveled by Henry Azadahel (under the pseudonym 'Armen Victorian') against Tim Good's book 'Alien Liaison', particularly its chapter on Bob Oechsler. It mentions YUFOS secrets and other 'enlightening items' being shared.

'The Maddest Tea Party' recounts the author's attendance at a YUFOS Cash Crop Circle Conference. The author describes it as a gathering of 'gullible fools' and a 'wibbly wobbly worldview'. The event focused on Tim Good's book 'Alien Liaison' and his obsession with cattle mutilations. The author notes that much of the information presented is being disproved by American ufologists.

Tony Dodd's theories about an alleged South Africa UFO crash are dismissed as 'utter nonsense', with YUFOS and prairie dogs being the only ones who still take it seriously.

Contactee Corner

The 'Contactee Corner' features a message from 'Trinity', who claims to be communicating with a race of people from a neighboring solar system, referred to as 'The Frog People'. These beings are described as God's creations, more advanced than humans, and banned from contact due to a past incident. They are monitoring humanity's progress and waiting for humans to be 'changed' to take their rightful place in the universe. The Frog People have reportedly lost ships after being shot down by fighter planes. Trinity claims to have the knowledge to build a transmitter to contact them but lacks the technological understanding.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine exhibits a critical and often skeptical stance towards many aspects of ufology, particularly crop circle explanations and certain contactee claims. While presenting detailed accounts of abduction experiences, it also emphasizes the need for evidence and questions the validity of purely speculative theories. There is a clear distinction made between potentially genuine phenomena and what the magazine considers 'claptrap', hoaxes, or misinterpretations. The editorial tone often employs satire and direct criticism of individuals and organizations within the ufology community, particularly those perceived as promoting unsubstantiated claims or profiting from the subject. The magazine seems to favor a more grounded, evidence-based approach while acknowledging the existence of unexplained phenomena.